Moonilal: Minister Young is farse-and-outta place to caution COP on meeting Giuliani
National Security Minister Stuart Young is farse-and-outta place to caution Police Commissioner Gary Griffith about meeting former New York Rudy Giuliani.
The ever-abrasive Mr. Young has politicised the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and has sought to undermine the independence and integrity of the office of Commissioner of Police.
The Minister of National Security – or, indeed, any other member of the government – has no right to seek to influence whom the head of the Police Service can consult in the course of his professional duties.
Mr. Young’s attempted interference in the functions of the autonomous Police Commissioner once more reveals the National Security Minister’s unsuitability for public office, because of his haughtiness and glaring lack of knowledge, skill and experience.
Mr. Griffith is correct to insist on holding discussions with whomever he is convinced could bring value to his challenging task of taming the crime epidemic.
As Mayor of New York form 1994 to 2001, Mr. Giuliani oversaw a sharp decline in all crimes and a steady increase in police arrests.
His get-tough policies were widely praised and were emulated in other American cities and by other countries with crime crises.
It is hoped that Mr. Griffith’s consultations and agreement with Mr. Giuliani will assist in reducing Trinidad and Tobago’s crime spree, which has reached the highest levels under Mr. Young’s tenure as Minister of National Security.
Mr. Young is well advised not to seek to interfere in the operational activities of Mr. Griffith, and, instead to focus on policies which would bring value to the war on crime.